Going to dinner tomorrow night with a group of people and must admit I'm a neophyte to the Italian Wines.

Could someone with some expertise recommend or not recommend wines from this list?


Morellino di Scansano, Bruni, Toscana '03 7 25
Pinot Nero, Kris, Veneto '06 7.5 27
Chianti Classico, Querceto, Toscana '06 8.5 31
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, La Valentina, Abruzzo '06 35
Primitivo "Italian Zinfandel", Ognisole by Feudi di San Gregorio, Puglia '06 9.5 35
Sangiovese-Cabernet Primavoce, Arceno, Toscana '04 10 37
* Barbera d'Alba "Bricco Cicchetta", Rinaldi, Piemonte '06 10.5 39
Podere (Rosso Piceno), Poderi San Lorenzo, Marche '04 44
Rosso di Montalcino, Poggio San Polo, Toscana '05 47
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Avignonesi, Toscana '05 48
Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore, Zenato, Veneto, '06 58
Chianti Classico, Tenute Marchese Antinori, Toscana, Riserva '03 60
Merlot, Planeta, Sicilia '04 70
Barolo "Marcenasco", Renato Ratti, Piemonte '01 80
Amarone Classico, Tedeschi Veneto '03 90
Brunello di Montalcino, Tenute Silvio Nardi, Toscana '01 95

My selection would be from the following.

quote:

Originally posted by T Dub:
Chianti Classico, Querceto, Toscana '06 8.5 31
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, La Valentina, Abruzzo '06 35
* Barbera d'Alba "Bricco Cicchetta", Rinaldi, Piemonte '06 10.5 39
Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore, Zenato, Veneto, '06 58
Barolo "Marcenasco", Renato Ratti, Piemonte '01 80
Brunello di Montalcino, Tenute Silvio Nardi, Toscana '01 95

Note that Barbera isn't a grape for everyone as it has pretty high acidity. I wouldn't order the 2003 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Marchesi and that's why I didn't put it on the list, but if they have the 2004 instead, jump on it.

The Barolo and Brunello will be very, very young and not sure how much pleasure they will offer. I'd go for the Barolo before the Brunello though in hopes that it might show a little more.

I add the Primavoce from Arceno to some of the wines that Futronic suggested. It's a merlot/sangiovese blend and "smoother" than most sangiovese only wines on the list, which you may find too tannic or earthy for your liking.

The Barolo is nice, or Zenato Ripassa. But Like Futronic said, some grapes just aren't for everyone. I'd stick to Tuscany to be safe.

The Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is very good and even better with food.

Planeta's merlot is usually a solid wine, but the price on your list is a little high relative to some of those other wines.

I think you've had some good suggestions already.

I don't know how 'experienced' your group of people is. And I don't know about the food pairing. But the Barolo and Brunello are both very good wines in their own right. In general I would follow Futronics advise and go for the '01 Barolo. But in this case I would advise you to take the Silvio Nardi '01 Brunello. I had it in July of this year, and it was drinking wonderfully balanced. Be sure though that the bottles are opened well in advance.

If the group is a bit less experienced I would suggest to go with either the '05 Vino Nobile or the Valpolicella from Zenato. Both are relatively modern incarnations of their respective DOCG/DOC. And are a bit easier to appreciate. The same would apply to the Morellino di Scansano from Bruni. But de '03 is a definitive pass. If they have an '06 or '07 it would be one of the best values on this wine list IMO.

quote:

Chianti Classico, Querceto, Toscana '06 8.5 31

had a barreltasting of this in 2006. Was good then,and I see that either WS or WA gave it about an 92

other choices

Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore, Zenato, Veneto
Primitivo "Italian Zinfandel",
Amarone Classico
enjoy

That is a short list with no stars, to be honest.

Podere (Rosso Piceno), Poderi San Lorenzo, Marche '04 44

OR

Barolo "Marcenasco", Renato Ratti, Piemonte '01 80

Depending how much you want to spend.

The Zenato Ripassa is also a good wine, but that is just a rediculous price relative to its retail.

Thank You all for your help and suggestions.

It's not a real experienced group of wine drinkers, just a couple of us out of a large group. Just wanted to be sure that I wasn't picking something that was swill.

We'll probably end up going towards some of the lesser priced options some mentioned with this group.

I appreciate all the help.

Which one did you go for, and how was it?